[[Image:IJsselmeerTradBoat.jpg|thumb|300px|Traditional boat on the IJsselmeer]]

[[Image:IJsselmeerTradBoat.jpg|thumb|300px|Traditional boat on the IJsselmeer]]

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'''Friesland''' [http://www.visitfryslan.nl/] (West Frisian: ''Fryslân'', in English often known as ''Frisia'' or ''West Frisia'') is a province of the the [[Netherlands]]. It is known for its unique language and culture, its water sports and ice skating.

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'''Friesland''' [http://www.visitfryslan.nl/] (West Frisian: ''Fryslân'', Dutch: ''Friesland'') is a province of the [[Netherlands]]. It is known for its unique language and culture, its water sports and ice skating.

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==Destinations==

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==Cities==

* [[Leeuwarden]] — capital of Friesland with an historic city centre

* [[Leeuwarden]] — capital of Friesland with an historic city centre

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* [[Bolsward]]

* [[Dokkum]]

* [[Dokkum]]

* [[Drachten]]

* [[Drachten]]

* [[Franeker]]

* [[Franeker]]

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* [[Frisian Lakes]] — the Southwestern part of Friesland, popular in the summer among boaters

* [[Harlingen]]

* [[Harlingen]]

* [[Heerenveen]]

* [[Heerenveen]]

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* [[Hindeloopen]]

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* [[IJlst]]

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* [[Sloten]]

* [[Sneek]] — known for the annual Sneekweek boating event, gateway to the Frisian Lakes

* [[Sneek]] — known for the annual Sneekweek boating event, gateway to the Frisian Lakes

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* [[Stavoren]]

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* [[Workum]]

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==Other destinations==

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* [[Frisian Lakes]] — about two dozen lakes the Southwestern part of Friesland, popular in the summer among boaters

* [[West Frisian Islands]] — islands in the Wadden Sea, a [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage Site]], that can be traversed by mudflat hiking

* [[West Frisian Islands]] — islands in the Wadden Sea, a [[UNESCO World Heritage list|UNESCO World Heritage Site]], that can be traversed by mudflat hiking

==Understand==

==Understand==

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Frisia (Dutch: Friesland, Frisian: Fryslân) has a long history. Its inhabitants are first referred to by the Roman writer Tacitus, in his work Germanica. After the collapse of the Roman empire, Frisia grew in importance, and at one point Frisian kings controled the entire coast of what is now the Netherlands up into Belgium and parts of Northern Germany (which are still known as Ostfriesland or Eastern Frisia).

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Friesland has a long history. Its inhabitants are first referred to by the Roman writer Tacitus, in his work Germanica. After the collapse of the Roman empire, Frisia grew in importance, and at one point Frisian kings controled the entire coast of what is now the Netherlands up into Belgium and parts of Northern Germany (which is still known as [[East Frisia]]).

The Frisians were later subjugated by Charlemagne, and have never achieved independence since. During the Dutch golden age in the 16th and 17th century, Frisia has stood in the shadow of Holland, remaining largely rural while trade and later industry flourished in other parts of the Netherlands. During this period, peat was dug from the soil, causing lakes to form. Also, all transport was done via water. This combination of lakes and connecting canals has made Friesland a mecca for water sports enthausiasts.

The Frisians were later subjugated by Charlemagne, and have never achieved independence since. During the Dutch golden age in the 16th and 17th century, Frisia has stood in the shadow of Holland, remaining largely rural while trade and later industry flourished in other parts of the Netherlands. During this period, peat was dug from the soil, causing lakes to form. Also, all transport was done via water. This combination of lakes and connecting canals has made Friesland a mecca for water sports enthausiasts.

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Nowadays, Frisia is one of the most sparsely populated provinces in the Netherlands (with 'only' 160 people / square km) and is mostly known for its lakes, wide open spaces, and general peace and quiet, as well as for its population. Frisians have a well-earned reputation for bloodymindedness and distrust of authority.

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Nowadays, Frisia is one of the most sparsely populated provinces in the Netherlands (with 'only' 160 people / square km) and is mostly known for its lakes, wide open spaces, and general peace and quiet, as well as for its population. As the Netherlands are sometimes referred to as Holland, let it be known that Friesland is not part of Holland. This is a common mistake among tourists, and one which can be almost guaranteed to grossly offend any native Frisian you may be talking to. Holland is comprising only the (coastal) provinces of North Holland and South Holland.

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As The Netherlands are sometimes referred to as Holland, let it be known that Friesland is not part of Holland. This is a common mistake among tourists, and one which can be almost guaranteed to grossly offend any native Fries you may be talking to. Holland is comprising only the (coastal) provinces of North-Holland and South-Holland.

===Ice skating===

===Ice skating===

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==Talk==

==Talk==

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Friesland is bilingual, with Frisian, the local language, enjoying equal status as [[Dutch_phrasebook|Dutch]]. Everyone in Friesland speaks Dutch; however the preference for Frisian is strong with some. Signs, streetnames, etc. are mostly in two languages, depending on the community council.

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Friesland is bilingual, with [[West Frisian phrasebook|West Frisian]], the local language, enjoying equal status as [[Dutch_phrasebook|Dutch]]. Everyone in Friesland speaks Dutch; however the preference for Frisian is strong with some. Signs, streetnames, etc. are mostly in two languages, depending on the community council.

As in the rest of the Netherlands, almost everyone in Friesland speaks at least some English, and especially young people are likely to be fluent or near-fluent.

As in the rest of the Netherlands, almost everyone in Friesland speaks at least some English, and especially young people are likely to be fluent or near-fluent.

==Get in==

==Get in==

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It is only possible to travel overland to Friesland. By train one can travel from the direction of [[Groningen (city)]] or [[Zwolle]]. And by bus from [[Den Helder]] or [[Hoorn]]. In the latter case you will pass through the Afsluitdijk, a 30 km long dike separating two seas. The bus stops at a viewpoint halfway on the dike.

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By train one can travel from the direction of [[Groningen]] or [[Zwolle]]. And by bus from [[Den Helder]] or [[Hoorn]]. In the latter case you will pass through the Afsluitdijk, a 30 km long dike separating two seas. The bus stops at a viewpoint halfway on the dike.

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There is a ferry running from [[Enkhuizen]] in Noord Holland to [[Stavoren]]. The journey takes around 80 minutes. In the summer the ferry runs up to three times daily, but in April and October not as frequent. The fare for adults is € 10.60. Check timetables at http://www.veerboot.info/index.php

==Get around==

==Get around==

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The train system is low-grade by Dutch standards, which means that only the major cities are connected by rail. Sneek, Leeuwarden, Franeker, Harlingen, Heerenveen and Grou are accessible by rail. To get to the smaller town towns you will have to take busses, which usually leave from the train stations as well. See the article on the [[Netherlands]] for more details on the baroque system of public transport, and note that bus services will be sparse in the summer vacation.

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The train system is low-grade by Dutch standards, which means that only the major cities are connected by rail. Sneek, Leeuwarden, Franeker, Harlingen, Heerenveen and Grou are accessible by rail. To get to the smaller town towns you will have to take buses, which usually leave from the train stations as well. See the article on the [[Netherlands]] for more details on the baroque system of public transport, and note that bus services will be sparse on Sundays and in the summer vacation, with some lines not running at all. The buses in the western and northern part of Friesland are organised by Connexxion until December 2012 (check [http://www.connexxion.nl www.connexxion.nl] for travel advise, Dutch only). In the southeastern part, the operator is Qbuzz ([http://www.qbuzz.nl/english/cDU2_Welcome+to+Qbuzz.aspx www.qbuzz.nl]).

Another way to get around is by boat. Friesland is noted for its large amount of lakes, but especially for the way they are all interconnected by canals. It is therefore possible to travel from one city to the next by sailing-boat. See the Do section for more information.

Another way to get around is by boat. Friesland is noted for its large amount of lakes, but especially for the way they are all interconnected by canals. It is therefore possible to travel from one city to the next by sailing-boat. See the Do section for more information.

Line 47:

Line 56:

==See==

==See==

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*The main event in Friesland each year is the yearly sailing contest between 14 ships on the various lakes, which takes place in early August. The 14 10-meter long boats, each with a crew of more than ten people, compete over 14 matches on anything from the huge IJsselmeer to tiny Veenhoop. This event is called '''Skûtsjesilen''', Skûtsje being the traditional type of sailing boat used in these contests.

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It is quite possible to watch these matches from the shore, and many people do so. Inquire locally about the best place to watch, and be prepared to come early or the locals will beat you to the best places. It is also possible to watch these matches from the water, but be advised that certain areas of water may be off-limits for spectators.

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If you are traveling by boat, make sure you get a program of this because certain lakes or parts of lakes will be closed off, and the waterways towards those lakes will be filled with traveling spectators.

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*'''Kaatsen''' is a sport dating to the middle ages, still being practised in Friesland, the [[Basque_Country]], and parts of southern [[France]]. A precursor to tennis; the game consists of two teams hitting a solid leather ball with their bare hands. The main event each year is the PC, in [[Franeker]]. The city will be filled with spectators. Warning: Kaatsen is to Frisians what cricket is to the English, ie: you will not understand a thing of what is happening.

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*'''Fierljeppen''' (far-jumping) - a sport where contestants attempt to jump as far as possible over a ditch, using a 10-foot pole.

*Wieuwerd mummies - a small town where local chuch crypt created the right conditions for natural mummification.

*Wieuwerd mummies - a small town where local chuch crypt created the right conditions for natural mummification.

*Fries museum - the local museum on the area (located in [[Leeuwarden]])

*Fries museum - the local museum on the area (located in [[Leeuwarden]])

*Eise Eisinga's planetarium ([[Franeker]]) - a school teacher created the world's oldest still working planetarium (1774) to disprove claims that the world was going to end.

*Eise Eisinga's planetarium ([[Franeker]]) - a school teacher created the world's oldest still working planetarium (1774) to disprove claims that the world was going to end.

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*[[Hindeloopen]] - A small town comparable to [[Volendam]] or [[Marken]], though not as overly touristic.

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*[[Hindeloopen]] - a small town comparable to [[Volendam]] or [[Marken]], though not as overly touristic

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*[[Sloten]] - A small fortress town with a rich past.

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*[[Sloten]] - a small fortress town with a rich past

===Afsluitdijk===

===Afsluitdijk===

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[[File:Afsluitdijk_-_cropped.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Afsluitdijk]]

* The '''Afsluitdijk'''. A 32km long dike connecting [[North-Holland]] and [[Friesland]]. Built in 1930 to close what is now the IJsselmeer from being flooded by the North Sea. The dike was built as part of a plan to reclaim land in the IJsselmeer; this land became the province of [[Flevoland]].

* The '''Afsluitdijk'''. A 32km long dike connecting [[North-Holland]] and [[Friesland]]. Built in 1930 to close what is now the IJsselmeer from being flooded by the North Sea. The dike was built as part of a plan to reclaim land in the IJsselmeer; this land became the province of [[Flevoland]].

Line 75:

Line 76:

{{warningbox|If you're going mudflat hiking, '''always''' do this under supervision of a licensed guide. Though tides change in regular cycles, these are easily misjudged by unqualified hikers, who could find themselves quickly surrounded by rising water on all sides. As hikers are basically walking in the middle of the sea, this is not to be underestimated.}}

{{warningbox|If you're going mudflat hiking, '''always''' do this under supervision of a licensed guide. Though tides change in regular cycles, these are easily misjudged by unqualified hikers, who could find themselves quickly surrounded by rising water on all sides. As hikers are basically walking in the middle of the sea, this is not to be underestimated.}}

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*Go walking, to the islands. As the sea is dry at lowtide, it is possible to walk to some of the islands. Take a guide.

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There are many activities you can undertake in Friesland:

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*Go boating on the lakes or canals.

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The main event in Friesland each year is the yearly sailing contest between 14 ships on the various lakes, which takes place in early August. The 14 10-meter long boats, each with a crew of more than ten people, compete over 14 matches on anything from the huge IJsselmeer to tiny Veenhoop. This event is called '''Skûtsjesilen''', Skûtsje being the traditional type of sailing boat used in these contests.

+

+

It is quite possible to watch these matches from the shore, and many people do so. Inquire locally about the best place to watch, and be prepared to come early or the locals will beat you to the best places. It is also possible to watch these matches from the water, but be advised that certain areas of water may be off-limits for spectators.

+

+

If you are traveling by boat, make sure you get a program of this because certain lakes or parts of lakes will be closed off, and the waterways towards those lakes will be filled with traveling spectators.

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*Go '''boating''' on the lakes or canals.

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*Go '''mudflat hiking''' to the [[West Frisian Islands]]. As the sea is dry at lowtide, it is possible to walk to some of the islands. Take a guide.

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*'''Kaatsen''' is a sport dating to the middle ages, still being practised in Friesland, the [[Basque_Country]], and parts of southern [[France]]. A precursor to tennis; the game consists of two teams hitting a solid leather ball with their bare hands. The main event each year is the PC, in [[Franeker]]. The city will be filled with spectators. Warning: Kaatsen is to Frisians what cricket is to the English, ie: you will not understand a thing of what is happening.

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*'''Fierljeppen''' (far-jumping) - a sport where contestants attempt to jump as far as possible over a ditch, using a 10-foot pole.

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* '''Follow the route of the Elfstedentocht''' by car or by bicycle. Seven of the original cities of the tour are in this area, namely Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, and Bolsward. You can get a detailed map of the route at tourist offices throughout the area, and suggestions on how to traverse the route.

==Eat==

==Eat==

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* Fryske dúmkes, sweet cookies with crushed hazelnut

* Fryske dúmkes, sweet cookies with crushed hazelnut

* Oranjekoeke, a kind of cake with orange snippers

* Oranjekoeke, a kind of cake with orange snippers

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==Drink==

==Drink==

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* Beerenburg, the "national" drink of Friesland. An alcoholic drink, made by adding herbs to jenever. It has an alcohol percentage of around 30%.

* Beerenburg, the "national" drink of Friesland. An alcoholic drink, made by adding herbs to jenever. It has an alcohol percentage of around 30%.

Do not refer to the local language as a dialect of Dutch, as this might be considered insulting, as well as being untrue. Although they are somewhat mutually intelligible, and nearly all Frisian people are able to speak Dutch, the language is old and distinct, bearing more linguistic similarities to English than to Dutch. Otherwise, the general mentality and rules of etiquette are the same as in the rest of the Netherlands. The region is by no means separatist, but there is a strong national feeling among Frisians. Its relationship to the Netherlands is comparable to the relationship between Wales and England within the UK.

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{{isPartOf|Northern_Netherlands}}

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Do not refer to the local language as a dialect of Dutch, as this might be considered insulting, as well as being untrue. Although they are somewhat mutually intelligible, and nearly all Frisian people are able to speak Dutch, the language is old and distinct, bearing more linguistic similarities to English than to Dutch. Otherwise, the general mentality and rules of etiquette are the same as in the rest of the Netherlands. The region is by no means separatist, but there is a strong national feeling among Frisians. Its relationship to the Netherlands is comparable to the relationship between Wales and England within the United Kingdom.

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{{isPartOf|Northern Netherlands}}

{{outline}}

{{outline}}

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{{regionguide}}

Revision as of 19:07, 16 December 2012

Traditional boat on the IJsselmeer

Friesland[1] (West Frisian: Fryslân, Dutch: Friesland) is a province of the Netherlands. It is known for its unique language and culture, its water sports and ice skating.

Understand

Friesland has a long history. Its inhabitants are first referred to by the Roman writer Tacitus, in his work Germanica. After the collapse of the Roman empire, Frisia grew in importance, and at one point Frisian kings controled the entire coast of what is now the Netherlands up into Belgium and parts of Northern Germany (which is still known as East Frisia).

The Frisians were later subjugated by Charlemagne, and have never achieved independence since. During the Dutch golden age in the 16th and 17th century, Frisia has stood in the shadow of Holland, remaining largely rural while trade and later industry flourished in other parts of the Netherlands. During this period, peat was dug from the soil, causing lakes to form. Also, all transport was done via water. This combination of lakes and connecting canals has made Friesland a mecca for water sports enthausiasts.

Nowadays, Frisia is one of the most sparsely populated provinces in the Netherlands (with 'only' 160 people / square km) and is mostly known for its lakes, wide open spaces, and general peace and quiet, as well as for its population. As the Netherlands are sometimes referred to as Holland, let it be known that Friesland is not part of Holland. This is a common mistake among tourists, and one which can be almost guaranteed to grossly offend any native Frisian you may be talking to. Holland is comprising only the (coastal) provinces of North Holland and South Holland.

Ice skating

The 11-cities-tour (Dutch: elfstedentocht, West-Frisian: alvestêdetocht) is a skating event, which can only be held in winter when all the water through and between those 11 cities is frozen. Friesland has only 11 cities, settlements with historical city rights. They vary in size from the provincial capital Leeuwarden (+92,000 inhabitants) to Sloten, with less than 1,000 inhabitants.

Talk

Friesland is bilingual, with West Frisian, the local language, enjoying equal status as Dutch. Everyone in Friesland speaks Dutch; however the preference for Frisian is strong with some. Signs, streetnames, etc. are mostly in two languages, depending on the community council.

As in the rest of the Netherlands, almost everyone in Friesland speaks at least some English, and especially young people are likely to be fluent or near-fluent.

Get in

By train one can travel from the direction of Groningen or Zwolle. And by bus from Den Helder or Hoorn. In the latter case you will pass through the Afsluitdijk, a 30 km long dike separating two seas. The bus stops at a viewpoint halfway on the dike.

There is a ferry running from Enkhuizen in Noord Holland to Stavoren. The journey takes around 80 minutes. In the summer the ferry runs up to three times daily, but in April and October not as frequent. The fare for adults is € 10.60. Check timetables at http://www.veerboot.info/index.php

Get around

The train system is low-grade by Dutch standards, which means that only the major cities are connected by rail. Sneek, Leeuwarden, Franeker, Harlingen, Heerenveen and Grou are accessible by rail. To get to the smaller town towns you will have to take buses, which usually leave from the train stations as well. See the article on the Netherlands for more details on the baroque system of public transport, and note that bus services will be sparse on Sundays and in the summer vacation, with some lines not running at all. The buses in the western and northern part of Friesland are organised by Connexxion until December 2012 (check www.connexxion.nl for travel advise, Dutch only). In the southeastern part, the operator is Qbuzz (www.qbuzz.nl).

Another way to get around is by boat. Friesland is noted for its large amount of lakes, but especially for the way they are all interconnected by canals. It is therefore possible to travel from one city to the next by sailing-boat. See the Do section for more information.

Like the entire Netherlands, Friesland is extremely bike-friendly. See the main article on the Netherlands for details.

See

Wieuwerd mummies - a small town where local chuch crypt created the right conditions for natural mummification.

Afsluitdijk

Afsluitdijk

The Afsluitdijk. A 32km long dike connecting North-Holland and Friesland. Built in 1930 to close what is now the IJsselmeer from being flooded by the North Sea. The dike was built as part of a plan to reclaim land in the IJsselmeer; this land became the province of Flevoland.

The Kazematten Museum. The bunkers defending the entrance to the Afsluitdijk were a vital part of Hollands defence plan during the Second World War. Some of the bunkers have been restored, with period-appropriate weapons, equipment and everyday items giving an overview of the soldiers' life inside the bunkers in 1940.

Het Monument. A small statue of a dike-builder which has been placed on the spot where the dike was closed in 1932. Next to the monument is a plaque, cafe and a watchtower where (because of all the water) you can see the Wadden islands on a bright day.

Do

WARNING: If you're going mudflat hiking, always do this under supervision of a licensed guide. Though tides change in regular cycles, these are easily misjudged by unqualified hikers, who could find themselves quickly surrounded by rising water on all sides. As hikers are basically walking in the middle of the sea, this is not to be underestimated.

There are many activities you can undertake in Friesland:

The main event in Friesland each year is the yearly sailing contest between 14 ships on the various lakes, which takes place in early August. The 14 10-meter long boats, each with a crew of more than ten people, compete over 14 matches on anything from the huge IJsselmeer to tiny Veenhoop. This event is called Skûtsjesilen, Skûtsje being the traditional type of sailing boat used in these contests.

It is quite possible to watch these matches from the shore, and many people do so. Inquire locally about the best place to watch, and be prepared to come early or the locals will beat you to the best places. It is also possible to watch these matches from the water, but be advised that certain areas of water may be off-limits for spectators.

If you are traveling by boat, make sure you get a program of this because certain lakes or parts of lakes will be closed off, and the waterways towards those lakes will be filled with traveling spectators.

Go boating on the lakes or canals.

Go mudflat hiking to the West Frisian Islands. As the sea is dry at lowtide, it is possible to walk to some of the islands. Take a guide.

Kaatsen is a sport dating to the middle ages, still being practised in Friesland, the Basque_Country, and parts of southern France. A precursor to tennis; the game consists of two teams hitting a solid leather ball with their bare hands. The main event each year is the PC, in Franeker. The city will be filled with spectators. Warning: Kaatsen is to Frisians what cricket is to the English, ie: you will not understand a thing of what is happening.

Fierljeppen (far-jumping) - a sport where contestants attempt to jump as far as possible over a ditch, using a 10-foot pole.

Follow the route of the Elfstedentocht by car or by bicycle. Seven of the original cities of the tour are in this area, namely Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, and Bolsward. You can get a detailed map of the route at tourist offices throughout the area, and suggestions on how to traverse the route.

Eat

Fryske dúmkes, sweet cookies with crushed hazelnut

Oranjekoeke, a kind of cake with orange snippers

Drabbelkoeken, a buttercake, only in Sneek

Sûkerbôle, a sweet bread with 40% sugar and cinnamon

Drink

Beerenburg, the "national" drink of Friesland. An alcoholic drink, made by adding herbs to jenever. It has an alcohol percentage of around 30%.

Stay safe

Respect

Do not refer to the local language as a dialect of Dutch, as this might be considered insulting, as well as being untrue. Although they are somewhat mutually intelligible, and nearly all Frisian people are able to speak Dutch, the language is old and distinct, bearing more linguistic similarities to English than to Dutch. Otherwise, the general mentality and rules of etiquette are the same as in the rest of the Netherlands. The region is by no means separatist, but there is a strong national feeling among Frisians. Its relationship to the Netherlands is comparable to the relationship between Wales and England within the United Kingdom.